Former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen and former first lady of Tennessee Andrea Conte talk with Karl Dean and others at the Tennessee Democratic Party Three Star Dinner at the Wilson County Expo Center in Lebanon on June 16, 2018. Price Chambers / For The Tennessean

From left, Craig Fitzhugh (D), Randy Boyd (R), Bill Lee (R) and Karl Dean (D) prepare for the start of the gubernatorial forum on rural Tennessee issues at Lane College in Jackson, Tenn., on April 17, 2018. Yoshi James / The Commercial Appeal

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Karl Dean speaks at the candidate forum at Lipscomb University's Allen Arena on May 15, 2018, in Nashville. Leadership Tennessee was the presenting sponsor of the forum. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

From left, Loretta Lynn, Jack White and Mayor Karl Dean wait for the Music City Walk of Fame ceremony to begin. Both artists were recognized with the unveiling of a commemorative sidewalk marker June 4, 2015, in Nashville. John Partipilo / The Tennessean

Dierks Bentley, former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, former Nashville mayor and Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen and Del McCoury wave their towels before Game 1 of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 27, 2018, in Nashville. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean releases a lake sturgeon during a ceremony to reintroduce the fish into the Cumberland River near the Shelby Bottoms Park Nature Center on April 17, 2009. Samuel M. Simpkins / The Tennessean

Over the past 40 years, Tennesseans have elected governors from both parties who have served the state with dedication and distinction and without rancor or scandal.

In fact, each of the three Republicans and two Democrats who have filled the governor's chair since 1979 moved the state forward and were easily re-elected to second terms.

We are confident Tennessee will make another good choice Nov. 6.

Both men seeking to follow Gov. Bill Haslam are respected men of character and conviction, intelligence, compassion and accomplishment.

Democrat Karl Dean, who has a law degree from Vanderbilt University, has shown considerable skills as a government leader. He guided Nashville as mayor through the Great Recession and the 2010 flood, and he helped lay the groundwork for the city's current boom.

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Election day is November 6th, 2018
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Republican Bill Lee, with an engineering degree from Auburn University, has demonstrated his acumen as a business leader. He has built his family’s Lee Company to 1,200 employees and nearly a quarter billion in revenue.

Both men have run uncommonly (these days) and refreshingly mature and respectful campaigns, keeping their focus on their plans, concerns and hopes for the state, and their own experience and expertise, running on faith, not fear.

As a successful private employer, Lee understands the need for a better trained workforce, fewer and lower barriers for small businesses, and wider access to broadband and other 21st-century technologies.

As a successful big-city mayor, Dean understands the need for more equitable funding for public schools, sensible criminal justice reforms, wider access to affordable health care and public transportation.

Lee's conservative credentials, lack of political obligations and strong spirit of compassion position him to work with the legislature and find creative ways to address lack of access to health care, limited rural and inner-city opportunity, and the achievement gap in education.

On the other hand, Dean's progressive and collaborative approach to economic development in Nashville and his experience in addressing other big challenges facing government position him to work with the private sector to find creative ways to address the same issues.

Dean has a lot of relevant government experience, but his agenda could be stymied by the conservative Republican supermajority in the legislature.

On the other hand, Lee's agenda could be handicapped by his lack of government experience and connections, or hijacked by even more conservative Republicans.

Both men say they are aware of the unique challenges facing Memphis — high poverty and crime, underperforming and under-resourced public schools, competition from Arkansas and Mississippi for jobs, homeowners and tax revenue.

Both men say they are committed to devoting more of state government's time and attention to the state's largest county. We believe them.

Each man has the potential to be a great governor. But given Karl Dean's more relevant experience and his success as mayor of Nashville, we believe he's more qualified and better prepared to lead state government.

Viewpoint Editor David Waters wrote this editorial on behalf of The Commercial Appeal Editorial Board, which also includes President Mike Jung, Executive Editor Mark Russell, columnists Tonyaa Weathersbee and Ted Evanoff, and Digital Strategist Dann Miller.